Chapter 19: Stuck Together

Head throbbing Candice starts to wake up slowly. As her senses come back to her so does that last thing she remembers. Being taken. Sitting up too quickly her hand goes to her head as it spins. As her head clears up she tries to put things together. She was waiting for Ryan to check out a lead. She had tried to call David again and then…that's where it got fuzzy.

Vision clearing she noticed the room she was in. It looked almost like a prison cell with a single bare bulb light swinging gently from the ceiling. There were no windows and the door was solid. She was on the hard, cold, and dirty ground.

Her eyes drifted down to the floor and she realized she wasn't alone. Her head was still throbbing but she crawled the few feet to the figure. It was Ryan. A trail of dried blood at his hair line.

Giving him a shake she whispers his name, "Ryan. Wake up." She continues to shake him until he groans.

"Are you okay?"

"Candice?" He rubbed his head and tried to sit up. "Where?"

His body shot up, "Coraline."

"What happened?" Candice could only vaguely remember a man grabbing her.

Pushing himself to stand he wobbled to the wall to support himself. Candice stood with him. "I came for you. When I got to the garage you weren't at your car. I scented you being taken. Then I was attacked. I was fighting off the attacker when another came out of nowhere and got me from behind."

He rubbed his head. "I was hit in the head but I remember Coraline. She said something to me. I shouldn't have come or something. Then it went dark. I think I passed out for a bit."

"But what about the guards watching you?" Candice asked hopeful.

Shaking his head solemnly he sighed. "I don't think so. I can't be sure but I remember hearing more fighting and that brought me back out for just a bit. I think it was them. Then I was hit again and next thing I know I hear you calling my name."

"Maybe they're staked but they'll find a way out."

"If we're here they're probably dead."

Seeing her arms move to hug herself he steps closer, "Are you okay?"

No, I've been kidnapped by a crazy bitch. She wanted to say but she couldn't find the words so she just shook her head. She wasn't dead and right now that was something. David would find her. He always found her.

Ryan pushed on the door testing it before moving to the opposite wall and sliding down to sit. He wasn't going to be able to move the door. Candice watched him silently as he pulled on leg up to his chest.

A gasp left her lips as dropped to her knees at his feet frantically pulling up his pants leg. "Your anklet!" Candice said in a loud whisper. "When your guards don't check in they'll pull the tracker. They'll find us. We just have to stay alive until then."

Ryan's eyes widen, he'd forgotten all about the stupid anklet. "It shouldn't take too long."

The loud turning of metal on metal warned them the door was opening and Candice quickly pulled down his pants leg. Ryan stood with Candice and pulled her behind him just as Coraline stepped in the doorway. Just behind her were at least 6 men.

"I have to say I didn't plan for this to happen but as you know I'm very good at improvising." Her words were directed at Ryan.

Ryan doesn't say anything. Candice was right they'd find them soon enough no need to upset Coraline and risk her hurting Candice.

Coraline frowned, "Nothing to say? Oh well I'm sure you'll think of something soon enough. We'll have plenty of time to talk."

"We will get out of here," Candice crossed her arms and straightened her back.

Smiling at her Coraline shook her head. "I admit I underestimated you. You found me and that was a surprise, thankfully I had the good timing to be shopping today. What a shame smart enough to find me but not smart enough to tell anyone where I am."

"How do you know I didn't?" Candice challenged.

Coraline held up Candice's cell phone, "History. The longest call was to Ryan here and clearly he isn't of any help."

"They'll be looking for me soon."

"As far as anyone here knows you're on your way to San Francisco to see your beloved David. No one here will notice for days."

"David will know something happened when I don't show up."

Dangling the cell phone again Coraline smirked, "Not if you tell him you can't make it."

Candice tried to keep calm and not let Coraline get to her. David would know. He wouldn't believe she'd cancel her trip with a text. He'd want to talk and when she didn't answer he'd know something was wrong.

"He'll know."

"Maybe but even then he won't know where to find you." She looked at Ryan's leg and her grin widened. "Your guards are dead. Your collar has been deactivated. When they do realize you're both missing they'll simply assume Ryan killed his guards, cut his leash and took what he's so long desired."

Candice swung her first up and caught Coraline in the jaw with a good right before Ryan pulled her back shoving her behind him as Coralines men burst forward. Rubbing her jaw Coraline stepped back holding up a hand to her guards, "You are full of spirit. It is a shame you have chosen the wrong side. I could have seen us as friends."

"You don't have friends, you have slaves."

Shrugging Coraline turned and walked out of the room calling over her shoulder just before the door sealed, "Suit yourself."

To Be Continued…

Evilous